State of the Map 2025
| Calendar | |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| 24 Apr. | Call for venues opened. |
| 21 Jul. | Deadline for call for venues. |
| 8 Sep. | Manila selected as host city. |
| tba | Event website launched. |
| tba | Travel grant programme announced. |
| 2025 | |
| tba | Deadline for travel grant applications. |
| tba | Starting Call for Participation |
| tba | Opened Call for Abstracts: OSM Science |
| tba | Deadline of Call for Participation |
| tba | Deadline of Call for Abstracts: OSM Science |
| tba | Deadline for poster submissions |
| tba | Main conference days with presentations, workshops, discussions, social events and more. |
State of the Map 2025 will take place in Manila. The bid is here and you can read some of the information below.
Dates. The conference dates are pending and they will get probably decided in October 2024. The organising team is currently looking at August/September 2025, but please note that this might change.
The Philippines is made up of 7,641 islands and there are 7,641 reasons to love the Philippines! The OSM community in the Philippines is gearing up for a fun and mappy State of the Map 2025 ;)
Metro Manila, home to at least 16 million people within its officially-defined metropolitan area, is not only the capital of the Philippines, but also a major center of commerce, culture, education and government in Southeast Asia. Long a crossroads between East and West, Manila is a melting pot of both Oriental and Western cultures, with Southeast Asian, Chinese, Spanish and American influences leaving their own distinct marks on the city and its people. Famous for its sunsets, Manila is known for its mix of old and new, the friendliness of its people and, most importantly, its hospitality. And we wish to extend that hospitality to OpenStreetMap enthusiasts from all over the world by bringing State of the Map here to the Philippines.
The venue has not been finalised yet. We are looking at hosting SotM 2025 either at:
- the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), the country’s premier institution for higher learning as our primary venue. UPD is in Quezon City, the largest city in Metropolitan Manila both in terms of population and land area, or at
- De La Salle University (DLSU), another leading university in the Philippines as an alternative venue. DLSU is found in Manila proper.
Both venues are wheelchair accessible.
We would love the whole OSM community to join us at this SotM as we look back to WHERE we came from, look closely at where we are now, and look forward to where we would like to be next. As the first SotM in Southeast Asia, we also would like to examine how OpenStreetMap can be made more relevant and inclusive in this part of the world.
We hope to welcome all of you, OSM mappers and contributors from all around the world, to our shores. Mabuhay!
City
Infrastructure
- Accessibility - Quezon City and Manila City is not the strongest in terms of accessibility; however, there are PWD ramps and bike lanes in selected areas. Both UPD has accessibility ramps and bike lanes inside the campus, while DLSU has accessibility ramps, elevators and escalators with rest rooms in each floor.
- Communication - The venues (UPD/DLSU) offer a stable wifi connection in various areas in their respective campuses. For mobile data, there are plenty of cell providers to choose from: Globe, Smart, Touch Mobile, Sun Cellular, etc. Travelers will have their option upon arrival at NAIA as sim card stands can be found throughout the airport. The price range for 8GB of data for 1 week is from ₱90 - ₱120 ($1.6 - $2.2).
- Public Transport - The Metro Manila area (which includes both QC and Manila) has a large availability of public transport options: local tricycles, jeepneys, buses, and light rails. Other private services such as taxis and ride-sharing apps (Grab, Angkas, etc.) are also available at a higher cost. Check pamasahe.club to know the updated “pamasahe” or transportation fare.
- By Buses/Jeep Metro Manila has an extensive bus/jeep network that serves almost all primary to secondary level roads. Quezon City/Manila can be accessed by most buses. Fares are distance-based.
- By Rail Metro Manila is served by 3 light rail routes: the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3. While there is no direct access from the airport, buses along the EDSA Carousel loop share the same stops with the MRT-3.
- By Taxi Right from the airport, there are taxi stands available if you opt for their service. Taxis charge a flag down rate of ₱40 that increases with travel time and distance. Coupon taxis cost more as they charge a flat-rate to go to any point as listed in their matrix but are more cost-efficient for larger groups.
- Ride-share apps Download the leading ride-sharing app, Grab, to access the multiple services they offer including ride-sharing and deliveries. Other apps for traveling around are Angkas (motorcycle), JoyRide (motorcycle and car), and Sakay.ph for public commute directions.
- Suggested commuter route (UPD): Take the UBE Express bus (see bus schedule here) from the NAIA Terminal 3 to Araneta City-Cubao. Board the MRT-3 train (check your route here) at Araneta-Cubao Station and alight at North Avenue Station. Walk through Trinoma and SM North EDSA malls and find the terminal for jeepneys going to UPD. Estimated price: UBE Express (₱200/$3.6) + MRT (₱16/$0.30) + Jeep (₱15/$0.30) = ₱231/$4.2
- Suggested private car route (UPD): From NAIA, you can travel through EDSA following the avenue and turning right on Quezon Avenue towards the Quezon Memorial Circle. Take the exit to Commonwealth Avenue then turn right towards the UPD sign. Alternatively, you can take the Skyway highway system (tolled road) exiting at Quezon Avenue and continuing as directed above. Use either Google Maps or Waze app to calculate and pick your routes.
- Suggested commuter route (DLSU): Upon exiting the NAIA terminal, look for the Airport Loop shuttle service. It is a free shuttle service that connects the airport terminals. Take the shuttle and get off at Terminal 3. Follow the signs to the Airport Terminal 3 of the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1). Purchase a single-journey ticket or use a stored value card to ride the LRT-1. Board a southbound train (Baclaran direction) and alight at the Vito Cruz Station. Exit the station and walk towards DLSU, which is just a short distance walk from the station. Single-journey ticket price: ₱15.00 or $0.27
- Suggested private car route (DLSU): From NAIA, head towards Roxas Boulevard on the NAIA Expressway (NAIAx). Keep following Roxas Boulevard until you reach the intersection with Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street (formerly Vito Cruz). Continue driving straight until you reach a major intersection called Taft Avenue. You will see De La Salle University on your right side. The university has several entrances, so choose the one most convenient for you.
Was a SotM held in the same continent in the previous year?
No. SotM international was held in Asia, specifically in Japan in 2012 (Tokyo) and 2017 (Fukushima). We look forward to hosting the first SotM in Southeast Asia.
Safety
Is the country and/or city an LGBT+-friendly space?
- Philippines. The country has numerous pending bills for LGBT rights, including an anti-discrimination bill. Despite failing to pass, many anti-discrimination ordinances in the country exist on a local government level in eight provinces and various cities in the Philippines so far, including capital Manila. (Source: English Wikipedia article “LGBT rights in the Philippines”)
- Quezon City. In 2014, QC's Gender-Fair Ordinance was passed. It aims to create a safe environment and protect LGBTQIA+ individuals from all types of discrimination, such as refusing to provide services based on one's gender identity, verbal and non-verbal discrimination. (Source: Love Knows No Gender in QC)
- UP Diliman. UP Diliman has a history of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and providing resources and support for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. The university has organizations such as Babaylan, the oldest LGBTQ+ student organization in the Philippines, which promotes awareness, acceptance, and equality on campus. There are also other student organizations and initiatives that support the LGBTQ+ community and foster a safe and inclusive environment. Furthermore, UP Diliman has policies and programs in place that aim to prevent discrimination and promote equality. In 2015, the university adopted a Gender-Fair Policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. The policy also promotes the use of gender-neutral facilities on campus.
- Manila. The Manila city government approved an ordinance that penalizes discrimination against lesbians, gays, transgenders, queers and intersex or LGBTQI in 2020. (Source: Manila bans gender discrimination)
What about medical and travel safety?
Both Quezon City and Manila City are in the Metro Manila region and have nearby health facilities and numerous travel alternatives. UP Diliman has a health service center called the UP Health Service (UPHS) that provides medical services to students, faculty, and staff. The UPHS offers primary healthcare, consultations, and referrals to specialists when needed. They also provide emergency medical services during office hours. UP Diliman is also located in Quezon City - an emerging healthcare hub north of Metro Manila. You will be proximal and accessible to among the best private and public hospitals. Similarly, it is less than 20 minutes drive to specialized health centers like the Philippine Heart, Kidney and Lung Centers.
Vaccinations required/recommended
COVID-19
Since August 2023, presentation of vaccination status and vaccination certificate for COVID-19 is no longer required. All arriving international travelers are accepted regardless of their vaccination status.
Malaria
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for foreigners traveling to Palawan and Mindanao islands. No malaria transmission in metropolitan Manila (the capital) or other urban areas. (Source)
Dengue
Dengue is a risk to travelers going to the Philippines. Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset. No vaccine or medication protects against dengue. It is recommended to follow these tips to prevent mosquito bites.
Additional travel guidelines:
The Philippines has introduced a new health declaration form to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. All individuals traveling to the Philippines must complete the Philippines eTravel before entering the country.
Check: https://etravel.gov.ph/
What about terrorism or criminalism?
Both Quezon City and Manila City are in the Metro Manila region and have nearby health and safety facilities (e.g. police station and fire stations). Both cities are diverse in terms of population. Most Filipinos also speak English.
Is the location compatible with the OSMF's SotM safety policy?
We are confident that the Philippines in general, and Metro Manila in particular, is widely compatible with the SotM safety policy.
Travel/Transportation
How good is the place reachable internationally?
Metro Manila is served by two major international airports. The main hub is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA (IATA: MNL), located around 10 kilometers south of Manila proper, and 20 kilometers south of Quezon City. NAIA is the country’s busiest airport serving over 40 million passengers annually (before the pandemic) and has numerous direct flights to various cities in Asia, Australasia, and North America.
The secondary airport for Metro Manila is Clark International Airport (IATA: CRK), located some 85 kilometers north of Manila in Angeles City, Pampanga. Clark serves as a hub for various local and foreign low-cost carriers and is reachable from Manila by numerous point-to-point commercial bus services.
What kind of visa restrictions are there?
The Philippines can be visited visa-free from 157 countries for periods ranging from 14 to 59 days. Most visitors can additionally pay a visa fee to extend their stay, with further extensions possible. See the Wikipedia article “Visa policy of the Philippines” for more details.
Special cases
- Are you below 15? To prevent child trafficking, Philippine law mandates that persons under the age of fifteen who are either arriving unaccompanied or are not accompanied by their parents may be denied entry into the Philippines. It is possible to obtain a “waiver of exclusion ground” (WEG) which grants entry to underage minors, which must also be pre-arranged in Manila before arriving.
- Nationals of India and China. Generally, Chinese and Indian nationals need a visa to enter the Philippines. However, nationals of China traveling as tourists and holding a valid visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, or a Schengen Area state may enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for up to 7 days. Nationals of India holding a valid visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States, or a Schengen Area state may enter the country without a visa and stay for up to 14 days.
How about the affordability of travel?
- Air travel. Round-trip economy flights from various cities in Southeast Asia and East Asia are generally within the 100–300 USD range. Round-trip economy flights from the Middle East, Japan, and Australia are generally under 1000 USD.
- Accommodations. Most 2 to 3-star hotels in Metro Manila are available for around 50–100 USD per night. The metro area is also home to numerous AirBnB places.
- Public transportation. See the section above “City” for more information.
Dates
We are not sure about a date just yet. We are planning to hold SotM2025 for three (3) days around May - August in UPD, or May or September in DLSU.